Window balance-tape retainer



953 E. M. TRAMMELL, sR.. ETAL 2,653,234

WINDOW BALANCE-TAPE RETAINER Filed June 9, 1950 \1 /3 3/ INVENTORS EARL. M". TRAMMELL, SR. EARL" M. TRAMMELL, JR.

Patented Nov. 10,1953

WINDOW BALANCE-TAPE RETAINER Earl M. Trammell, Sr., and Earl M. Trammell, Jr., St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 9, 1950, Serial No. 167,048

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in window balance-tape retainers, and more particularly to an improved, simplified, low-cost pro.- vision for selectively limiting the extent of retraction of a window balance-tape, when same is freed of operative connection with a sliding sash.

Relatively recently there have been developed, with growing trade demand, double hung window units of types in which the sash may at will be readily manually removed from the sashand as readily reapplied thereto, so as to facilitate window cleaning, painting and other maintenance and service operations. Improvements in such field are identified with Letters Patent No. 2,426,474 issued August 26, 1947 to the present applicants, and later applications, the present improvements being particularly but by no means exclusively adaptable to sliding sash assemblies of the general type disclosed in said patent and application. It is a general object or the present invention to provide an improved, simplified, sturdy, low cost, easily operable device for keeping captive in proper position, the extended end of a counterbalance tape, incident to the removal and reapplication of a sliding sash.

The present invention may be summarized as consisting of a tape-carried fixture comprised of a body which may be a metal plate, and which is provided near one end with a tape aperture conforming generally in shape to the section of the tape, but of a width exceeding the thickness or gauge of the tape so that the body may v be rockingly actuated within limits about an axis in or close to the plane of the tape. The body is provided with a depending, usually integral tongue, brace or latch arm, and the tape provided with reinforced apertures, selected according to window height, such apertures selectively receiving the tongue as a brace for maintaining the fixture when in operative position, as an abutment to anchor the tape. The invention further includes, besides the fixture per se, a combination thereof with the tape connector hardware and the balance unit. I

Yet another important object of the invention is realized in the provision of a one-piece fixture which may be formed as by stamping and punching, for the purposes noted, and which requires no particular skill or complicated directions, to enable its successful manipulation for the purposes noted.

The foregoing and other objectives of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of a currently preferred embodiment of fixture and combination, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a tape, a spring balance assembly, and including a fragmentary phantom view showing preferred structure for interconnecting the balance to a sliding sash, Fig. 1 showing a tape-holding fixture in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view of a corner portion of a sliding sash, the tape holder and a portion of the tape;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the tape holding fixture showing the tape in section, Fig. 4 being taken along line 4-4. of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of the spring balance unit, the tape holder and an end of the tape, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the tape holding fixture with portions of the tape and balance housing, as viewed along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, a typical installation and combination including the fixture, include a spring-type balance generally indicated at STB, and which comprises a metal housing H consisting of a pair of side plates and a peripheral wall connecting said side plates. Devices of this general type are, as such, well known in the trade, and will require no extended description other than to point out for completeness that within the housing H is a spring wound reel (not shown) over the shaft or arbor of which is wound a fiat tape usually of metal, and which is modified for the present purpose, as will be described, and is generally indicated at ID. The housing H is closed at the bottom by a planar plate P provided with one or more screw openings ,SO by means or which the spring counterbalance unit is mounted in concealed position above the sashway with the plate P in horizontal position. The plate P is provided with a rectangular slot or tape opening SL through which the tape is extended when withdrawn against the loading of the spring, usually as the sash is lowered, and retracted under the loading of the spring when the sash is raised.

At its free or lower end, tape I0 is provided with a hook fixture II which may be considered as a stirrup, and is one of a pair of companion interfitting hook elements, the other to be described, which provide a quick-detachable connection between the tape and the sash it serves. The tape hook II is provided with a wide aperture l2, and its lower or free end is turned upward say at an angle of 30 degrees more or less, to provide a V-shaped portion I3. Attachment of tape III to the hook II is effected as by bringing a, doubled end, or specifically a bight of the tape, through the opening I2, the tape being folded back upon itself and spot-welded, as indicated by the weld zones I4.

For coaction with the tape holder fixture, the special tape I is provided with a series of ion. gitudinally spaced openings I5, each reinforced so as to prevent any tendency toward splitting or the like, with a gromet I6, the openings through the gromet selectively coacting with the tape holder, as will be described.

It is suggested as a present satisfactory commercial expedient in completing the connection of the tape to the sash, that one of the side rails of the sash S be vertically routed, the rout being indicated at R, and on the bottom wall of the rout is located a second hook fixture I! attached to the sash as by screws I8. This fixture includes a mounting plate portion 20, a horizontal arm 2| and a downturned hook 22 which, with the fixtures I! and II normally interconnected, extends rearwardly of the upturned lip I3 of the hook II, as will clearly appear.

Proceeding now to a description of the fixture which may be designated as a tape holder, anchorage or captive device, this is shown in a proven and simplified form as constituted of a single element of sheet metal which, as thus formed up, comprises a fiat body or plate 25 of somewhat greater width at one end, which wider end is provided with a cross slat in the form of a rectangular tape aperture 26. The length of the aperture or slot 26 is slightly greater than the width of the tape I0, and the width of such aperture is appreciably greater than the gauge of the tape, being of such extent as to permit passage through the opening 26, of the doubled portion of the tape just above the tape hook II, for a purpose later appearing. The width of the slot 26 is further such that the fixture may be rocked between limits, about a horizontal axis in or close to the plane of the tape. The shape of the body 25 is in the example shown, of a frustrate triangular form, the narrow end more remote from the tape being characterized by an opening 21, adjoining which is a longitudinal slot 28, the openings 21 and 28 resulting from the outstruck formation of a depending tongue 30. This tongue serves, as will appear, during times when the tape holder is operatively positioned for captive retention of the tape, as a strut, angle brace or latch arm. The tongue 30 is substantially of the width of the tape III as is the opening 21 from which results the tongue. The tongue 30 is, however, provided with an end extension 3| which is considerably reduced in width, in fact is of a width no greater than will permit its'easy introduction to and interfitted connection with one of the gromets I6, the extension being located at the free extremity of the tongue 30. Just back of the extension 3|, and in the zone of juncture of the extension with the tongue proper, is one or more defined right angular shoulders 32 which, as will appear, limits the extent of penetration of the selected gromet I5, by the tongue. The tongue is normally formed to lie at an angle which, without restriction, is shown at about 30 degrees to the plane of the body 25 of the fixture so that same may serve as an angle brace, for the support of the body 25 in a position :normal to the vertical 4 plane of tape III, or otherwise stated, in a hori-' zontal plane.

The manner of use of the tape holder is thought to have become evident from the description of its parts and associated elements, but it may be noted for completeness that this fixture will be inserted over the tape prior to assembly thereto of the hook I I, and with the tongue 3| disengaged from one of the openings in gromets I6, will be freely slidable along the tape or conversely expressed, the tape is freely slidable through the fixture.

A distinct advantage apart from or prior to window installation of the balance is indicated by Figs. 5 and 6, in which the balance, equipped with the tape holder and hook II, is shown as a unit ready for packaging and shipment, only a fragmentary portion of this assembly being included in these figures. In this assembly, it will be noted that the tape is of course retracted within the unit STB, except for the free end of the tape, and that with the parts thus positioned, the tongue 303I is extended through the opening I2 of hook II, so that the spring tension of the balance will maintain the tape holder body 25 flat against the plate P. Thus the unit equipped with the :holder, requires no appreciable added space for storage or shipment, the tape holder serving in such relationship of parts, as a retainer for limiting retraction of the tape inwardly of the housing H.

With reference now to the manner of usage of the tape holder as installed in a window assembly of sliding sash type, it is noted for present description that as applied to removable sash, each such sash will usually be brought to a defined position along its path, in which position the sash may be removed by a translatory actuation followed by an inward swinging movement of one of its edges, with opposite manipulation incident to reinsertion of the sash. Thus, incident to sash removal, the sash is slidably moved to its removal position; in this position, one of the gromets I6 will be located a distance below the plate P of the balance unit such that the tape holder may be slidably moved, say upwardly along the tape, the tape holder may then be cooked slightly upwardly of horizontal to bring the extension 3| directly opposite the selected gromet IS. The plate 25 is then lowered to substantially horizontal position and the tongue tip II extended into or perhaps through the gromet. The sash may then be raised slightly to take its weight oil of the tape, and if it then be out of the sashway, the sash may be slidably moved horizontally across thesash plane so as easily to disconnect the lip or hook portions of the fixtures I1 and I I. It will now be seen that the tape is stopped, being held captiveagainst further retraction by abutment of the upper face of body 25 against plate P, and by abutment of the face of tape in the region of theselected gromet, with the shoulders 32 of the tongue 30. Experience has shown that when the tape I0 is thus held captive and disconnected from the sash, the normal direction of curl" of the free end of the tape, will cause same to extend somewhat toward the center of the sashway, thus leaving the hook I I in a position of ready accessibility for reengagement thereof by the companion sash fixture I'I, when the sash is to be reinserted.

The reapplication of the sash to the sashway will be eil'ected by locating the sash substantially in the atoresaid-removal position. Prior to introduel-us the edge 0! the sliding sash behind either of the stops, the companion hook fixtures II and I1 are reconnected, the sash brought fully into operative position in the sashway, then lowered slightly so as to free the body or plate 25 from its position of abutment with the plate P. This is followed by a slightly upward tilting movement of the free end of the tape holder fixture, withdrawal of the tongue tip 3| from the gromet, following which the holder will drop by gravity to a position as shown by Fig. 2. When so located, the tape holder lies flat against the upper horizontal rail of the sash, with the tongue 30 extended into the rout R. The tape holder will thus, throughout normal window operation, remain virtually concealed, will result in no substantial or unsightly protuberance, and will in no wise interfere with normal operation of the sash or tape.

Although the invention has been described by particularized reference to a currently'preferred commercial embodiment of the fixture in one useful combination, the detail of description should be understood in an informative, rather than in any restrictive sense, numerous variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

We claim as our invention:

1. A fixture for the captive retention of a balance tape for use in a sliding sash assembly, and in which the tape is provided with openings, the fixture consisting of a body element having an aperture at one end. through which the tape normally slidably extends, and a tongue integral with the body element, the tongue being extended below said body element, and being disposed at an angle from said body element, the tongue havin a reduced end portion adapted to extend into one of the said openings in the tape, the tongue being provided with a shoulder rearwardly of the reduced end portion, the tongue constituting an angle brace for supporting the body element at a right angle to the tape, the body element being slidable along and rockable about the tape, whereby to enable the body element to be positionable as a retention element near any tape opening, and to be rocked about the tape to bring the tongue into and out of a tape opening.

2. A fixture for use on a balance tape in connection with sliding window sash, and in which the tape is provided with at least one opening therethrough between its ends, said fixture comprised of a body element having an aperture through which the tape slidably extends, said body element comprised of a plate element displaceable with respect to the tape, and an integral tongue projecting at an angle from the plate element, the tongue being adapted to extend into the opening in the tape, and being adapted to engage the tape adjacent the opening, whereby to fix the position of the fixture along the tape.

3. In a. fixture for use with a balance tape in slidable window-sash assemblies, and in which the tape is provided with an aperture, a body provided with a tape slot near one end portion through which the tape extends, and a tongue connected to the opposite end portion of the body, the tongue being extended below the body, and being disposed at an angle from said body, the tongue having a free end that is of reduced width to extend into the aperture of the balance tape, the tongue being provided with a stop formation just inwardly of said free end, the stop formation being located to abut the face of the tape adjacent the tape aperture, whereby the tongue may serve as a brace for the said body, the tape slot being of a width to permit the body to be rocked vertically when the tape is taut, whereby to move the tongue into and out of the aperture provided in the tape.

4. A fixture for use on a balance tape in slidable window-sash assemblies, and. in which the balance tape is provided with an aperture intermediate its ends, the fixture being displaceable along the tape and being adapted for the retention of the tape when the sash is to be removed, said fixture consistingof a body, said body being provided with an aperture through which the tape slidably extends, and a tongue extended below the body and disposed at an acute angle from the said body, the tongue having a free end portion adapted to extend through the aperture in the tape, the tongue being provided with an abutment located to abut the face of the tape to limit the extent of tongue through the tape aperture and to support the body of the fixture at a right angle to the tape.

5. A fixture for use on a balance tape in connection with sliding window sash, and in which the tape is provided with an opening, said fixture comprised of a plate member having an aperture near one of its ends through which the tape extends, and a depending tongue on the plate, said tongue being disposed at an acute angle from said plate member, the tongue of the fixture being adapted to engage the opening of the tape.

EARL M. TRAMMELL, SR. EARL M. TRAMMEIL, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 198,179 Anderson Dec. 18, 1877 893,011 Parker July 14, 1908 2,156,905 Stowell et a1. May 2, 1939 

